2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV specifications

The 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has been revealed, with the new plug-in hybrid SUV getting a new engine, sharper styling and more all wheel drive modes.

Mitsubishi says the new Outlander PHEV is “more SUV and more EV than ever”, thanks to a redesign of the entire powertrain, revised suspension and upgrades to the interior.

While a lot of the vehicle is familiar, the changes under the skin are what comprise the biggest transformation.

Gone is the old 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder, replaced by an Atkinson-cycle 2.4-litre petrol four-cylinder. While Mitsubishi hasn’t given us the power and torque figures for the new ICE motor, the company promises that there is more torque than before, and given the engine’s larger size, that certainly makes sense.

There’s a new 13.8kWh battery which offers 15 per cent more capacity than previous – again adding to the extra torque – while the rear 66kW electric motor is 10 per cent more powerful than the last Outlander PHEV’s rear motor. Curiously, the front electric motor’s outputs weren’t mentioned.

The all-wheel-drive system has also come in for an upgrade. While the “Normal” and “4WD Lock” modes have been retained as you’d expect, Mitsubishi has also added a “Sport” mode to help give the PHEV a bit more pep in its step.

In addition, there’s a new “Snow” mode which puts the stability control on high alert as well as retarding throttle response to make it easier to drive on slippery roads. Handy in winter time, for sure.

The exterior styling has brought the “Dynamic Shield” design language to the front of the Outlander PHEV, giving it a more angular look to align it to the rest of the Outlander range, unlike the last PHEV which looked a bit dowdy in comparison.

LED headlights, rectangular fog-light bezels, a skid plate at the front, a new rear spoiler and fancier 18-inch wheels round out the styling upgrade.

Inside, the seats get quilted leather (a first for Mitsubishi in this segment), more bolstered front seats, new switchgear, a worked over instrument panel, and rear air-con outlets.

Full details are set to be announced once the Outlander PHEV gets its reveal at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show.

A passionate writer, editor and driver, Karl is the go-to man when it comes to four wheels. With stints in television, radio, print and online, Karl has been writing about cars for more than a decade. He drives around 100 vehicles every year and has tested everything from Bugattis to Suzukis. Sometimes on track, sometimes off-road, his focus is on producing objective journalism without fear or favour.

Related Articles

Update: Jaguar has revealed all the specs for the new I-Pace. Click here to read all about it. Jaguar will be unveiling its first all-electric SUV, the 2019 Jaguar I-Pace, and you can watch the whole event here, live. Kicking off at 19:00 Central European [Click to read more]

Mitsubishi Outlander LS seven-seat 2.4-litre petrol – $33,500 Mitsubishi is going all out at the moment to position itself as the SUV company, a fact that you may have noticed from the extensive advertising campaigns both on TV and online. At the core of its [Click to read more]

Hyundai has this week confirmed it will be producing an all-electric version of its compact SUV, calling it the Hyundai Kona Electric, while at the same time announcing a real-world range of 290 miles. Unimaginative name aside, the new Kona Electric has been built to [Click to read more]